The Revolutionary United (RUF) was a rebel army that fought a failed eleven-year war in Sierra Leone starting in March 1991 and ended in 2002.The RUF was later developed into a political party, which existed until 2007.
In the Beginning
The RUF was created by Foday Sankoh. When RUF was first formed their slogan was "No more slaves, No more masters. Power and wealth to the people." The slogan clearly showed that they meant to overthrow the government, but it gave little to no idication to what government will replace it.
Reign of Terror
In Early 1992 the RUF seized control of Kono, the diamond mining capitol of Sierra Leone. In an effort to control the diamond mines, the rebels chopped off the hands and feet of adults, teens, children and even infants.
There are many child soldiers in the RUF. They liked to abduct children ages 7-12. It is estimated that 10,000 children were involved in the war. Most children were used for attacks on villages and on guard duty. Thousands of boys and girls were forced to be as soldiers or prostitutes. Officers reportedly rubbed cocaine into open cuts to make the fighters fearless. For entertainment, some soldiers would bet on the sex of an unborn baby and then slice open a woman's womb to determine the winner.
Where Are They Now?
The three senior leaders of RUF were arrested and charged in February 2009. Each recieved 16 out of 18 charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Issa Sesay who was the senior military officer and commander was sentenced to 52 years. Morris Kallon was also a former military commander who was sentenced to 40 years. Augustine Gbao was the paramilitary commander and was sentenced to 25 years.
From 1991 to 2000, the group used guerrilla, criminal, and terror tactics, such as murder, torture, and mutilation, to fight the government, intimidate civilians, and keep U.N. peacekeeping units in check. In 2000, they held hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers hostage until their release was negotiated, in part, by the RUF's chief sponsor, Liberian president Charles Taylor. The group also has been accused of attacks in Guinea at the request of President Taylor.
RUF's strength is estimated at several thousand supporters and sympathizers who operate in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. A UN experts panel report on Sierra Leone asserted that President Charles Taylor of Liberia provided support and leadership to the RUF. The UN has identified Libya, Gambia, and Burkina Faso as conduits for weapons and other materials for the RUF.
The RUF’s merciless and cruel methods of setting examples towards civilians
Ruthless torture methods used
Goals:
RUF.jpg
RUF.jpg
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE: (FILES) Picture dated 07 November 1997 showing young fighters of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
Goals
: RUF's goal is to rid the country of the corrupt APC(All People's Congress ) government and to retain control of the lucrative diamond-producing regions of Sierra Leone.
- they wnated to overthrow the current government because of certain objections to their policies.
-The group funds itself largely through the extraction and sale of diamonds obtained in areas of Sierra Leone that it controls.
Castell Abner, III
The three most senior surviving leaders, Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao, were convicted in February 2009 of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Issa Hassan Sesay- June 27, 1970 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
-Served as senior military officer and commander in the Revolutionary United Front and AFRC/RUF forces in their insurrection against the government of Sierra Leone.
-On March 7, 2003 he was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity and other war crimes, including terrorizing civilians, collective punishments, unlawful killings, crimes against humanity, sexual violence, physical violence, use of child soldiers, abductions and forced labor, looting and burning, and attacks on UNAMSIL personnel.
-He pled not guilty at his initial court appearance.
-On 25 February 2009 Sesay was convicted for 16 out of the 18 charges he faced at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown
Morris Kallon A.K.A. Bilai Karim- January 1, 1964 in Bo, Sierra Leone
-Former Sierra Leonean rebel military commander in the Revolutionary United Front.
-In February 2009, he was convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone on 16 of the 18 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes of which he was charged.
Augustine Gbao A.K.A. Augustine Bao- August 13, 1948 in Blama, Kenema
-Former Sierra Leonean paramilitary commander.
-He was a senior commander in the Revolutionary United Front from 1991 until his capture in 2002
-In February 2009, he was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Court for Sierra Leone
The Revolutionary United (RUF) was a rebel army that fought a failed eleven-year war in Sierra Leone starting in March 1991 and ended in 2002.The RUF was later developed into a political party, which existed until 2007.
In the Beginning
The RUF was created by Foday Sankoh. When RUF was first formed their slogan was "No more slaves, No more masters. Power and wealth to the people." The slogan clearly showed that they meant to overthrow the government, but it gave little to no idication to what government will replace it.
Reign of Terror
In Early 1992 the RUF seized control of Kono, the diamond mining capitol of Sierra Leone. In an effort to control the diamond mines, the rebels chopped off the hands and feet of adults, teens, children and even infants.
There are many child soldiers in the RUF. They liked to abduct children ages 7-12. It is estimated that 10,000 children were involved in the war. Most children were used for attacks on villages and on guard duty. Thousands of boys and girls were forced to be as soldiers or prostitutes. Officers reportedly rubbed cocaine into open cuts to make the fighters fearless. For entertainment, some soldiers would bet on the sex of an unborn baby and then slice open a woman's womb to determine the winner.
Where Are They Now?
The three senior leaders of RUF were arrested and charged in February 2009. Each recieved 16 out of 18 charges for war crimes and crimes against humanity. Issa Sesay who was the senior military officer and commander was sentenced to 52 years. Morris Kallon was also a former military commander who was sentenced to 40 years. Augustine Gbao was the paramilitary commander and was sentenced to 25 years.
Anup S. (2001, July 23.). Sierra Leone. Retrieved December 13, 2009 from http://www.globalissues.org/article/88/sierra-leone
Pervenia B. (2005, December 13.). Blood Diamonds. Retrieved December 13, 2009 from http://www.worldpress.org/africa/2193.cfm
BBC News (2000, August 22.). RUF:Sunkoh still the boss. Retrieved December 13, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/891169.stm
BBC News ( 2009, April 8.). Sierra Leone rebels sentenced . Retrieved December 13, 2009 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/7990065.stm
Tactics:
From 1991 to 2000, the group used guerrilla, criminal, and terror tactics, such as murder, torture, and mutilation, to fight the government, intimidate civilians, and keep U.N. peacekeeping units in check. In 2000, they held hundreds of U.N. peacekeepers hostage until their release was negotiated, in part, by the RUF's chief sponsor, Liberian president Charles Taylor. The group also has been accused of attacks in Guinea at the request of President Taylor.
RUF's strength is estimated at several thousand supporters and sympathizers who operate in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea. A UN experts panel report on Sierra Leone asserted that President Charles Taylor of Liberia provided support and leadership to the RUF. The UN has identified Libya, Gambia, and Burkina Faso as conduits for weapons and other materials for the RUF.
Goals:
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE: (FILES) Picture dated 07 November 1997 showing young fighters of the Revolutionary United Front (RUF)
Goals
: RUF's goal is to rid the country of the corrupt APC(All People's Congress ) government and to retain control of the lucrative diamond-producing regions of Sierra Leone.
- they wnated to overthrow the current government because of certain objections to their policies.
-The group funds itself largely through the extraction and sale of diamonds obtained in areas of Sierra Leone that it controls.
Castell Abner, III
The three most senior surviving leaders, Issa Sesay, Morris Kallon and Augustine Gbao, were convicted in February 2009 of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
Issa Hassan Sesay- June 27, 1970 in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
-Served as senior military officer and commander in the Revolutionary United Front and AFRC/RUF forces in their insurrection against the government of Sierra Leone.
-On March 7, 2003 he was indicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone for crimes against humanity and other war crimes, including terrorizing civilians, collective punishments, unlawful killings, crimes against humanity, sexual violence, physical violence, use of child soldiers, abductions and forced labor, looting and burning, and attacks on UNAMSIL personnel.
-He pled not guilty at his initial court appearance.
-On 25 February 2009 Sesay was convicted for 16 out of the 18 charges he faced at the Special Court for Sierra Leone in Freetown
Morris Kallon A.K.A. Bilai Karim- January 1, 1964 in Bo, Sierra Leone
-Former Sierra Leonean rebel military commander in the Revolutionary United Front.
-In February 2009, he was convicted by the Special Court for Sierra Leone on 16 of the 18 charges of crimes against humanity and war crimes of which he was charged.
Augustine Gbao A.K.A. Augustine Bao- August 13, 1948 in Blama, Kenema
-Former Sierra Leonean paramilitary commander.
-He was a senior commander in the Revolutionary United Front from 1991 until his capture in 2002
-In February 2009, he was convicted of war crimes and crimes against humanity by the Special Court for Sierra Leone